DURHAM, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference released its 2013 Predicated Order of Finish and Preseason All-ACC Team Monday with Duke volleyball senior libero Ali McCurdy and sophomore outside hitter Emily Sklar garnering preseason all-league honors. The Blue Devils were picked to finish sixth in the conference as determined by a vote of the league’s 15 head coaches.

Senior co-captain McCurdy earned her second consecutive ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2012 after she ended the season with 672 digs, breaking the school record for the second time in as many seasons. A three-time AVCA Honorable Mention All-America, All-East Region and All-ACC honoree, McCurdy is 255 digs shy of setting the school career record.

San Jose, Calif., native Sklar had an immediate impact on the Blue Devils during her rookie campaign, earning All-ACC Freshman Team honors. A two-time ACC Freshman of the Week, she finished the 2012 season with 319 kills, 235 digs, 35 blocks and 23 service aces. Sklar also led the team with 10 double-doubles and reached double-digit kills in 18 matches.

A total of 10 teams were represented on the 2013 Preseason All-ACC Team. Miami lead all schools with four selections, followed by Duke, Florida State, Maryland, North Carolina and Notre Dame with two selections each. Eight of the 18 selections earned 2012 All-ACC honors, while four received 2012 All-ACC Freshman Team citations.

Florida State was tabbed the unanimous preseason favorite as the Seminoles are in the hunt for their third consecutive ACC title. The league’s coaches voted North Carolina second, while Miami, Notre Dame and NC State round out the top five.

The Blue Devils open the 2013 season Friday, Aug. 30, traveling to Gainesville, Fla., for the Campus USA Credit Union Invitational. Duke takes on LIU Brooklyn Friday at 10 a.m., before facing New Orleans at 5:30 p.m. The Blue Devils conclude the season-opening tournament against host-team Florida Saturday at 3:30 p.m.